Bob McLeod

Thank you, Mr. Chair. As this is an important matter for the Legislative Assembly, the people of the Northwest Territories, and all Members including those in Cabinet, for that reason I wish to advise that the Executive Council will have a free vote on these motions. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The government services officers and the three pilot Service Canada communities are recording all of their contacts, so after 12 months, we will sit down and evaluate all of the requests for the six program areas, and we will determine where we go, whether we go forward or not.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The government services officers record all service contacts they have with community members, and we are closely monitoring the number of service requests in each of the pilot Service Canada partnership communities. We are not expecting a large increase because, prior to this arrangement, most of the GSOs were handling a lot of Service Canada requests, and I believe the smaller communities average about five requests in any work day. If we do notice an increase in workload, we are prepared to look at extending our service hours. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. To me, it looks like a circular motion. It will just keep us going around in circles, so I would not support it. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document entitled "Responding to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action, March 2017." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm pleased to recognize the manager of the Yellowknife Airport and a constituent of Yellowknife South, Lee Stroman. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to recognize Marie Speakman, a constituent of Yellowknife South. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce the Government of the Northwest Territories has partnered with the Government of Canada to provide more in-person services to the residents of the Northwest Territories, through our single window service centres.

Earlier this year, our two governments launched a 12-month service delivery pilot project in Fort Providence, Fort Liard, and Tuktoyaktuk. Government services officers in these communities are now providing in-person services on behalf of Service Canada, in addition to their current duties for the Government of the Northwest Territories.

The...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As the Member knows, consultation is being undertaken now on the energy plan and the climate change framework. We are receiving considerable feedback from the public on carbon pricing as part of that process. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The working group is made up of a number of deputy ministers of various departments in the Government of the Northwest Territories that will be most affected by a carbon tax.